Why peaksaver?
It's the green thing to do!
When you sign up for peaksaver, you're joining hundreds of St. Thomas households and businesses that are helping to reduce the environmental impact of periods of peak electricity demand. It's during these peak periods that the less attractive forms of generation, like coal, must be used. This causes some of the pollution we sometimes see on hot summer days. So, help us reduce the peaks and clear the air by signing up for peaksaver.
Why peaksaver?
It saves everyone money!
By participating in peaksaver, you and thousands of others will allow us to reduce the strain on the electrical system during peak periods. By doing your part, you are making a significant contribution to conserving electricity and improving our environment. When activated, peaksaver will reduce the demand on the electrical system by approximately 1 kilowatt per home. That's the equivalent of turning off ten-100 watt light bulbs. This means we will need to import less electricity at higher prices, and delay the need to build additional power plants - that saves everyone money. You may not see savings on your bill yet, but keep in mind that the times that peaksaver will be activated falls into the ‘On Peak’ period under Time-of-Use rates - when electricity prices are higher. Therefore your air conditioner is running less during this time.
Why peaksaver?
It gives you the power to control!
“Just a quick note to let you know how pleased we are with the ability to control our thermostat "away" from home. We had to be away from home for an extended period of time yesterday and decided to turn our thermostat down while away. When we returned today we cancelled the "holiday" setting, online, and had no sooner got up from the computer when we heard the furnace come on. How cool is that! Thanks for all your help, we are more than pleased.” – Bert and Sherry Underwood, peaksaver participants
Be pleased like Bert and Sherry and enjoy the benefits of being a peaksaver participant. Control your thermostat away from home; be delighted with the convenience it provides and feel great knowing you’re doing something to help the environment.
Join peaksaver now and help reduce the province's demand for electricity, help your community and our environment.
During hot summer weekdays, when air conditioners are running at their maximum, the demand for electricity is at its highest. These times are known as ‘peak demand’. If you have a central air conditioner (CAC), you can help the province to manage this peak demand by enrolling in peaksaver.
St. Thomas Energy Inc will install a programmable thermostat in your premise. This will enable your CAC to receive a signal that may increase your home’s temperature by only 1°or 2° C for short periods of time. The adjustment will only occur during weekdays (never on weekends or holidays), most likely between 2PM – 6PM. And you can always opt out. This won’t compromise your control or the comfort of your home. By participating in peaksaver you are joining tens of thousands of Ontarians who are taking action to help lessen the strain on the electricity system and in turn, helping the environment.
peaksaver highlights
- Your home’s comfort is important. We will only activate peaksaver for short periods of time on weekdays (Monday through Friday) and never on weekends or holidays.
- You're always in control. If you are planning a special event at home, you can let us know in advance so that you can opt out for that particular time.
- Your efforts are appreciated. As a ‘thank you’ for enrolling in peaksaver you will receive a onetime $25 credit on your hydro bill regardless of the number of thermostats installed in your premise.
How does peaksaver works?
Once you are enrolled in peaksaver and a programmable thermostat is installed at your home, it can be remotely activated by us to slightly reduce your CAC’s electricity demand automatically. This won’t sacrifice your control or the comfort of your home. Activations would only occur:
- on those occasional steamy summer days when the electricity system can be stretched to its limit and electricity consumption is at its highest. When activated, your CAC will continue to cool your home, however, in half-hour timeframes your CAC will be adjusted. For the first fifteen minutes it will continue to produce cool air and for the second fifteen minutes, the fan continues to run to circulate the cool air in your home.
- on weekdays (Monday through Friday) from May 1 to September 30.
- for a maximum of ten activations during the summer and only for a total of four hours during any one activation.
- your system’s fan will continue to operate so that there is only a 1° or 2° change in temperature of your home.
- You can always opt out in advance of a specified date by contacting us through mail or telephone.
- The devices and installation are free and we are always here to help you should you have any questions.
Most participants note that they do not even feel a change in the temperature of their home.
Enrolling is easy and it’s free!
Call St. Thomas Energy Inc's peaksaver hotline at 519-631-5550 ext. 222 or click here to book an appointment for a service technician to come to your home to install the programmable thermostat. Then feel good knowing you've done something good for the environment.